Food, shelter programs get funds

Otero County has been chosen to receive $ 8,834 to supplement emergency food and shelter programs in the county.

Comment

LA Junta Tribune - La Junta, CO

Writer

Posted Nov. 12, 2013 at 3:00 PM

Posted Nov. 12, 2013 at 3:00 PM

Otero County has been chosen to receive $ 8,834 to supplement emergency food and shelter programs in the county.

The selection was made by a National Board that is chaired by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and consists of representatives from The Salvation Army; American Red Cross; United Jewish Communities; Catholic Charities, USA; National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A.; and United Way of America. The Local Board was charged to distribute funds appropriated by Congress to help expand the capacity of food and shelter programs in high-need areas around the country.

A Local Board made up of representatives from the Salvation Army Unit of Rocky Ford, La Junta Associated Charities, Rocky Ford Ministerial Alliance, Catholic Church, senior advocacy groups, American Red Cross, etc., will determine how the funds awarded to Otero County are to be distributed among the emergency food and shelter programs run by local service agencies in the area. The Local Board is responsible for recommending agencies to receive these funds and any additional funds available under this phase of the program.

Under the terms of the grant from the National Board, local agencies chosen to receive funds must: 1) be private voluntary nonprofits or units of government, 2) have an accounting system, 3) practice nondiscrimination, 4) have demonstrated the capability to deliver emergency food and/or shelter programs and 5) if they are a private voluntary organization, they must have a voluntary board. Qualifying agencies are urged to apply.

Otero County has distributed Emergency Food and Shelter funds during Phase 30 with La Junta Associated Charities, SAGE Nutrition, Arkansas Valley Resource Center and Otero County participating. These agencies were responsible for providing services such as meals, lodging, utility assistance and program administration.

Public or private voluntary agencies interested in applying for Phase 31 Emergency Food and Shelter Program funds must contact Jean Hinkle, Otero County, 13 W. Third Street, Room 212, La Junta 81050, (719) 383-3000, for application information. Application proposals outlining the amount of funding being requested as well as intended use must be submitted by 5 p.m., Nov. 20. The Local Board will then review applications at 5:30 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 21.